OK guys im building a new gaming rig and i want to run 4 gig of ram now. With all the feedback about Vista and lack of security i was thinking of running 32 bit for now. I know it wont read all the ram i hear 3 or 3.5 is all it will see. I have XP home and can get XP pro, which one should i use and why? ill install 64 bit when they get the bugs out and security for it is up to par.
Here is what i was looking at, feel free to coment thats why im here    
 
Thermaltake armor case
Abit IP35 Pro MB
Evga 9800gtx
Intel Q9300
PP&C 610 PSU
Corsair XMS2 PC26400 (4gig)
Seagate 7200.11 320g
Lite on DVD burner
Artic Cooling freezer pro 92mm cooler

Install 64bit Vista now and save yourself some headaches. The "bugs and security" are overblown.  

I've found now particular bugs or security problems, etc with Vista 64 SP1, but I don't like the way its setup as well as I like XP. There is an easy solution for those who like XP and want 64 bit, and that's XP64 Pro. I use that on a second computer with no problems whatsoever. The fact is, if it wasn't for games and DX10, I can't think of a single reason to use Vista over XP, whether in 32 or 64 bit flavors.

People always shunned new OS. They said XP was resource hog and had bugs when it first came out. The thing is, if you build a new rig and expect it to last for a while, it's better to just upgrade now and save the trouble later. You'll have to do it eventually anyway. Besides, Vista has been out for a while now.

Ok so i gather most of you would recomend me going to Vista 64. Im useing Norton 360 (which i hate but theres 8 mo left) says it will support Vista 64. I guess the next question would be will i get that much more performance using 64 over 32? I will have to purchase the Vista 64 xp is free

Shoot if you already have a copy of XP then don't worry about buying vista just to have it.  If you needed to buy an OS no matter what, then definately vista.    
 
But, if you already have a license for XP... it's not going away for a while, you might as well use the license you already have and not waste it.

I use Norton 360 myself and it works fine with Vista 64. I simply turned off the couple things about it that annoyed me. Yes, you will get a performance boost using 64 bit over 32 bit, the amount depending on the specific programs that you use. As new programs, whether games or other apps, are released, they will be in 64 bit and will be noticeably slower on a 32 bit OS, kind of like trying to run a 32 bit program on a 16 bit OS. It can be done, but it slows things down. Also, 32 bit Vista will not be able to use more than 3.5 gig or of ram, so that would become a future problem.

Agree with boonality and Sailer,  especially since you already have XP.
Why by vista when windows 7 should be out in a year and half.  Why reward microsoft for there DRM.  As Sailer eluded to - you will not see much, IF ANY performace gains.  Only real advantage is DX10, For me, not an issue.  My Son does a lot of heavy video encoding - He dumped Vista 64 as it was about 25% slower ( and he has a Kick As- setup)

OK thx for the quick replys. My xp is 32 bit so it wont see all the ram and this sys will have to last a few years. I guess i should get Vista 64 now just hate to buy it lol.
Also does the sys i speced out look good and is there any problems with hadware i have and Vista 64?

Your son's doing something wrong. Is he manually assigning core affinity? And 64bit OS is necessary to use the large amounts of ram those applications tend to hog.

Windows 7 will not be out that soon. But yeah, if you already have a perfectly good OS, keep it. 3.5gb ram should be enough. But no, there's no issues between your hardware and Vista64bit.    

Btw, Microsoft's Vista DRM has been cracked open in so many ways in such a short time, you'd feel sorry for them. There are user friendly crack patchers avilable from a quick Google search.  

OK now i confused lol. I have sp2 xp home will it see 3.5g of ram? I was going to run that and worry about Vista 64 in a year or so when i want to go to 8g of ram. So should i run the xp now and go vista latter like i was planing? Or just buy Vista 64 when i get the parts in May?

It's up to you, and how much bother you consider upgrading OS to be. How much Vista drops in price is also a factor. If you're lazy, and Vista don't drop much in price, then get it while building.

Dagger
   My son is a EE (Part owner of Electronic design company) who designs Circuits.  he has designed a SSD that was space qualified, He designed the streaming video interface that Sony uses in the large displays at the London amplitheater.  He built his first computer as a junior in HS (1981).
I'll send him a email with your comments (LOL).
 
Refer. DRM cracked - IT IS STILL THERE, boggins down the system.  Try running ATI AIW on Vista.  Sure you can copy a protected DVD,  But that is just bypassing, not removing.
 
To Clear up a point XP & Vista 32 bit operating systems DO USE ALL 4 gigs, when 4 Gigs are install.  The proplem is that only 3.2 +/- 0.3 Gigs are available for PROGRAMs.  Pease read up on allocation of MIMO's
 
Even with 3 gigs a small amount is unavailable to programs!  Will not bother posting the Microsoft explanation and the "Ask Dan" as they have being floating around for the last YEAR in a dozen threads!
 
PS - my other son is an IT manager, who designs web sites on the side, - ONLY reason he is getting Vista is to answer question.
 
Sorry for spell errors, have to go play pool.

Nevermind that. You said video encoding, so I though your son's doing something else.

And of course 32bit os won't just stop working if you have more ram installed. It just won't use them. It's different than "DO USE ALL 4 gigs."

dagger
   No one said, or even implied that 32 bit OS would stop working, I am using 4 gigs in a dual boot XP and vista 32 bit.
 
REPEAT - OS will use all 4 Gigs! It is Just that 4 gigs in NOT avail for programs.
When 4 Gigs is installed the 32 Bit OS places MIMOs at the top, working down.  The Question is, is it beneficial, in terms of performance, to locate this memory mapping in Ram verses wherever it resides when 4 gigs are not installed.  Some what simular to I/O remapping to HiMem (640k-> 1 Meg) in the Dos Days; Which offered a performance boost.
 
Please read
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
   www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm
 
Added - Window 7, from what I've read is due out 1 qtr 2010; However, microsoft has indicated it may be moved up to the end of 09.  If you know other wise please provide a recent source.